From staying cool to avoiding sun damage, every great outdoor gathering needs a bit of shade. With a retractable awning, you can decide when to soak up the sun or seek shelter. Whether you’re purchasing an awning for your home or vacation bungalow, the following guide can help you customize your order.
Fabric
If you’re envisioning a bold color or pattern for your retractable awning—such as rich scarlet or nautical blue stripes, acrylic is an excellent fabric choice. This material is known for its colorfastness, so it won’t fade away in the sun and rain, and its flexibility means it stands up well to repeated retraction. Vinyl is a smart choice for those who want to go longer between replacements—it’s extra durable, so it will stand up better in high winds and rain if your home is in hurricane territory. Sunbrella® fabric is a branded material known for protecting against UV rays and comes backed by a 10-year warranty. They are great at resisting mold and mildew and cooling outdoor spaces, and they come in an endless variety of colors and patterns.
Framing
The two leading options for retractable awning frames are aluminum and stainless steel. These metals are designed to avoid rust, corrosion, and rot so that they won’t fall victim to the hot, humid climate. Stainless steel is known for being more durable than aluminum, so it’s better for larger awnings that are more susceptible to being jostled around by the wind.
In addition to materials, you’ll also have two main retraction options to choose from. Lateral arm awnings feature metal beams extending from the roof, spreading shade over a large area. The pitch and projection length of these awnings can easily be customized to your preferences. Side or drop arm awnings contain the fabric in roller tubes extending from your property on spring-loaded arms.
Mechanics
Awnings are available in manual or motorized styles. Manual retractable awnings can be easily opened and closed with a hand-crank and are more affordable than their motorized counterparts. Motorized models simply require the push of a button to extend and retract. SunSetter® retractable awnings even come with Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can use a smartphone app to control the position of your awning from the comfort of your chaise lounge.
If you’re in the market for a high-quality retractable awning for your home or vacation home, reach out to Central Florida Awnings of Groveland. This family-owned and -operated company specializes in retractable residential awnings, and they are proud to be an authorized dealer of top brands like SunSetter® and Eclipse. Whatever fabric, framing, or pattern you have in mind, you can trust their experienced team to guide you to the right decision. Learn more about them online, or call (844) 629-6464 to request a free estimate.
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